Commercial Bank crowned Sri Lanka’s Best Bank and Best ESG Bank by Euromoney

Commercial Bank of Ceylon has secured two major honours at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, being named ‘Best Bank in Sri Lanka’ and ‘Best ESG Bank in Sri Lanka’.

The dual recognition highlights the bank’s financial performance alongside its focus on environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles.

Euromoney recognised Commercial Bank’s performance during 2025, when its profit before tax exceeded Rs. 89.38 billion and total assets reached Rs. 3.26 trillion. The bank recorded a return on equity of 19.5% and maintained strong capital and funding positions.

Its loan portfolio surpassed Rs. 2.028 trillion, while total assets grew by 16.8%. Commercial Bank also became the first Sri Lankan bank to exceed US$1 billion in market capitalisation.

The bank’s digital initiatives included the introduction of Sri Lanka’s first Google Pay service and AI-powered SME credit underwriting. It also expanded its international presence with a representative office in Dubai’s International Financial Centre (DIFC).

The Best ESG Bank in Sri Lanka award recognised the bank’s approach to sustainable and responsible banking, including its green finance initiatives. These include a Rs. 15 billion Green Bond, described as Sri Lanka’s largest, supporting renewable energy, green buildings and sustainable transport projects.

Commercial Bank has also focused on financial inclusion and SME development. The bank holds around 20% of the market share in SME lending and disbursed more than Rs. 335 billion to the sector in 2025.

Its initiatives include agency banking, Bank on Wheels mobile services and targeted lending programmes supporting microfinance and agriculture. The bank has also continued its focus on women’s financial inclusion through its Anagi brand.

Environmental and community initiatives have formed another part of its ESG programme. Through its Trees for Tomorrow project, the bank planted more than 12,500 trees in 2025, alongside programmes supporting education, healthcare, climate action and disaster relief.

The Euromoney Awards for Excellence, established more than three decades ago, recognise achievements across the global banking industry in areas including performance, innovation and strategic development.

Commercial Bank was also ranked as Sri Lanka’s No. 1 bank in the 2026 Top 1000 World Banks ranking published by The Banker and continues to operate an extensive domestic and international network.